Voluntary Pricing
Lets Small Eateries
Give -- and Get Back

Generous Payments
Of Some Patrons Offset
Meals for the Needy

Terra Bite Lounge has no prices listed on its wall menu. The Kirkland, Wash., coffee shop's customers pay what and whenever they like and leave the money in a locked box on the counter.

Ervin Peretz, one of the cafe's founders, figures that generous patrons cover the tabs of those who pay less than what's fair. And the business saves money by not having to pay for workers or services to handle financial transactions.